Applications
Retail graphics are often replaced because they look worn before the campaign ends, not because the message is out of date. Matching a liquid coating to the substrate, the store environment and the length of the promotion helps displays stay saleable for as long as they need to, without adding a plastic film.
Short-term does not always mean low-risk. As our guide to the best coatings for retail graphics points out, a four-week launch beside an entrance can take more punishment than a long-term graphic in a quiet office. Shopping baskets brush aisle-end units, counter displays collect fingerprints all day, and facilities teams wipe surfaces on their own schedule.
Before choosing a coating, pin down three things: how long the graphic must look new, how much handling and cleaning it will get, and whether it will be reused or moved between branches. Those answers decide how much protection is worth paying for. An over-specified coating on a throwaway shelf-talker wastes money; an under-protected flagship installation wastes far more.
POS uses a wider mix of materials than most sectors, and Landor’s UV-curable range includes coatings for specific substrates:
UV-curable systems suit controlled, higher-volume production where immediate cure and throughput matter. For flexible vinyls, banners and wall graphics, Landor’s water-based liquid laminates are applied by roller, spray or machine and clean up with soap and water. Landor’s coating service also runs a UV flatbed coater for rigid point-of-sale boards if you would rather not coat in-house.
Store lighting is unforgiving. Gloss makes product photography richer but can reflect track lights and show fingerprints at close range. Satin is a dependable middle ground for panels and general signage. Matt reduces glare for premium interiors and text-led messages, although a very matt surface can be harder to keep pristine where greasy fingerprints are likely.
Choose by viewing the coated sample in the store’s own lighting, then confirm it survives the retailer’s cleaning routine. Appearance alone is not a specification.
A good POS specification records more than the finish name. Note the print technology and ink, substrate, coating system, application method, drying or cure time and any cleaning limitations. That gives the production team a repeatable process for the next roll-out and gives the retailer clear care instructions at handover.
Landor’s coatings are used on retail graphics well beyond the wall: counters, floors, doors, lifts, escalators and even ceilings. The features retailers ask for most are chemical and abrasion resistance, water washability, UV fade resistance and a choice of gloss, satin or matt.
For high-touch points such as POS displays, self-checkout kiosks, product information panels and changing room graphics, Landor also offers anti-microbial coatings that it states are tested to ISO 22196. These sit alongside the retailer’s cleaning protocol rather than replacing it. Where vandalism is a concern, washable anti-graffiti protection is available too.
Reusable assets suffer most in transit and storage, picking up edge damage and scuffs before they reach the shop floor. A coating helps, but so does good handling: allow full cure before packing, interleave coated panels, and establish whether coating happens before or after cutting and routing.
For wall and window promotions that change every season, Landor’s repositionable Phototex graphics can be peeled off without residue and coated for extra protection, giving the store a quick changeover between campaigns.
Landor’s Marashield UV-CBG coating for cardboard and corrugated board is described as suitable for post-processing such as folding and cutting. Test your own board and crease pattern before a full run.
Water-based laminates suit flexible, lower-odour workflows and many printed vinyls and wallcoverings. UV-curable coatings suit higher-volume production of rigid and board displays where instant cure is useful. The right choice depends on substrate, volume and equipment.
Satin is often the most practical balance. Gloss can show fingerprints under spotlights, and very matt surfaces can mark where oily handling is common. Test under the store’s lighting.
Yes. Landor’s coating service applies water-based and UV-curable coatings, including on a UV flatbed coater for rigid boards.
Call +44 1252 624411 or email info@liquid-lamination.co.uk for advice, samples and pricing.
